It may perhaps be expected that your presiding officer should propose 

 business for the Convention. There are many subjects which may be in- 

 troduced, and which, in the opinion of the chair, require attention, but the 

 suggestion of them will more properly emanate from a Business Committee, 

 who may be charged with the duty of presenting such topics as are deemed 

 most important. 



It may not however be improper, in this stage of proceeding, to allude 

 briefly to a few points^which may be deemed worthy of consideration. 



Among these may be named, 



1. The expediency of so arranging the annual exhibitions of the various 

 local Societies, as to permit of more frequent intercourse and interchange 

 of civilities, for the promotion of the great object of their organization. 



2. The propriety of adopting a more uniform system as relates to pre- 

 miums, and the principles upon which they are awarded. 



3. It may be important for the Convention to inquire into the expedi- 

 ency of constituting a Central Committee, consisting of representatives from 

 the various County and District Societies, who may meet semi-annually for 

 consultation in regard to their general interests. Individual Societies can 

 accomplish much, but associated effort, more. 



4. It is also to be hoped that the cause of Agricultural Education, now 

 about to receive the consideration of the Legislature, will not be overlooked 

 in the deliberations of this body, and if it be the opinion of this Convention 

 that agriculture may be promoted by the application of science, that such a 

 sentiment may be expressed in terms so explicit as not to be misunderstood, 

 and that the aid of Government may be solicited for this purpose. 



And, Gentlemen, I submit, in view of the present condition of agri- 

 culture in our Commonwealth, whether there is not occasion for the assem- 

 bling of this Convention, whether there is not a necessity for improvement 

 in this most important branch of human industry, and for the patronage of 

 Government to place it on a par, at least, with other arts in point of wealth, 

 honor and influence. For if agriculture is the parent of all arts, if it is 

 the basis upon which rests individual and national wealth and prosperity, 

 if it is intimately connected with the virtue and happiness of the commu- 

 nity, then it is the duty not only of philanthropists to foster it, but also of 

 Government to extend to it her right arm for protection, and to make it one 

 of the first objects of her guardian care and protection. 



If education is essential to the full development of any art, and to its ap- 

 plication to the purposes of active life, it follows that the great interest of 

 agriculture, from whose bounty we are fed and clothed, has paramount 

 claims to any or all others ; and that the Government which makes no pro- 

 vision for its advancement, cannot be considered as having that regard 

 which is due to its best welfare and permanent prosperity. 



Government may provide the means for the education of a few, for the 

 learned professions, but does this excuse her from the obligation to pro- 

 vide equal advantages for the rest of her sons, for the farmer aa well as 

 for the clergyman, the lawyer, or physician. Massachusetts, with enlight- 



